Wake tower and method of making same

ABSTRACT

An attractive wake tower assembly of a unique, generally U-Shaped configuration that can be readily pivotally mounted on powerboats of various constructions to enable the wake tower assembly to be pivoted from an upstanding to a lowered position. The wake tower assembly is of a high-strength, simple construction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boat operator. Each of the side members of the assembly has an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which is generally oval in cross section. The lower portion of each of the side members have a first width and the upper portion of each of the sides having a second width less than the first width; and a bight portion interconnecting the upper portions of the sides, the bight portion being generally circular in cross section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water sports such aswakeboarding. More particularly, the invention concerns a wake tower ofnovel construction for use with powerboats for towing a performer behindthe boat using a towrope that is connected to the wake tower.

In recent years the sport of wakeboarding has become very popular. Asthe name implies, the wake boarder intentionally rides the wake of theboat and prefers to have as large wake as possible generated behind theboat. Experience has shown that to take full advantage of the wakegenerated by the boat, it is preferable to anchor the towline used totow the wake boarder at a relatively high elevation above the deck ofthe boat. Accordingly, a large number of elevated wake towers of variousconstructions have been suggested in the past.

Typically, the prior art wake towers comprise a rather large andsomewhat elaborate framework that is affixed to the boat deck. Suchprior art wake towers are heavy and generally quite cumbersome toinstall and remove from the boat. Further, such towers may interferewith the boat's passage beneath bridges and other types of overpasses.Additionally, because of the complexity of the framework of several ofthe prior art wake towers, visibility of the operator of the boat can beimpaired. Exemplary of somewhat typical types of prior art wake towersare those illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,350 issued toLarson et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,819 issued to Larson et al.

To accommodate the overhead clearance problem exhibited by certain ofthe prior art wake towers, some prior art wake tower structures can bedismantled if necessary. However, such prior art structures often havequestionable structural stability when erected and can presentsubstantial safety hazards after being disassembled. For example, afterthe wake tower structures have been disassembled they can present asubstantial tripping hazard to passengers on the boat especially whenthe boat is being rocked by waves. Further, in their dismantledconfiguration, the wake tower structures typically undesirably reducethe usable space on the boat deck.

Another approach to accommodating overhead clearance problems has beento construct a wake tower assembly that is pivotally interconnected withthe gunwales of the boat so that the wake tower can be moved from anelevated position to a lowered position. Exemplary of this prior artapproach, it is a wake tower assembly sold by the Titan Company ofRancho Cordova, Calif.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, one form of the wake tower assembly of the presentinvention comprises a first base member that can be connected to thegunwale on one side of a power boat; a second base member that can beconnected to the gunwale on the opposite side to of a power boat; agenerally U-shaped, structural member having a first curved sideconnected to the first base member and a second curved side connected tothe second base member, each of the sides having an upper portion and alower portion each of which is generally oval in cross-section, thelower portion of each of the sides having a first width and the upperportion of each of the sides having a second width less than the firstwidth; and a bight portion interconnecting the upper portions of thesides, the bight portion being either generally circular or generallyoval in cross-section. In one form of the invention, the U-shapedstructural member can be pivoted downwardly toward the bow of thepowerboat and in another form of the invention the U-shaped structuralmember can be pivoted downwardly toward the stern of the boat.

With the foregoing summary in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a highly attractive wake tower assembly of aunique, generally U-shaped configuration that can be readily mounted onpowerboats of various constructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly ofthe aforementioned character that is of a high-strength, simpleconstruction that does not interfere with the visibility of the boatoperator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly ofthe character described that can be easily attached and detached fromthe powerboat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly asdescribed in the preceding paragraphs, which can be pivoted from a firstupright position to a second lowered position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly ofthe class described in which the U-shaped portion of the tower isfabricated from light weight metal tubing that is first swaged into aunique configuration and then is strategically formed to create highstrength, gracefully curved side portions having a tapered, oval shapeand a bight portion that is generally circular in cross-section.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wake tower assembly ofthe of the character described in which the U-shaped portion of thetower is cast by conventional metal casting techniques into a uniqueconfiguration having gracefully curved side portions that are generallyoval shape in cross-section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the wake tower ofthe present invention shown affixed to the gunwales of a powerboat.

FIG. 2 is a top view, partly in cross-section, illustrating one form ofthe method of the invention for making the wake tower.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section furtherillustrating the method of the invention for making the wake tower.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away to show internalconstruction, of the form of the wake tower shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 6—6of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 7—7 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is in enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 8—8 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is in enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 9—9 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one of the basemembers and one of the connecting segments of the wake tower of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower portion ofone side of the wake tower of the invention illustrating the manner inwhich the wake tower pivots relative to the base member.

FIG. 12 is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of waketower of the present invention shown mounted on the gunwales of apowerboat.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner of making oneof the side members of the wake tower shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the wake tower of the alternateform of the invention shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 15—15 ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view taken along lines 16—16 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines17—17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 18—18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 19—19 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 20—20 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17, butillustrating the rearward pivotal moment of the wake tower of thealternate form of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of still another form of the waketower of the invention that is cast from a metal such as aluminum.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 23—23 ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 24—24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the areadesignated as “25” in FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 26—26 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 27—27 of FIG. 25

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, one formof the wake tower of the invention is shown interconnected with apowerboat 30 of conventional construction having a bow portion 30 a anda stern portion 30 b. As best seen in FIG. 5, the powerboat also hasfirst and second transversely spaced apart gunwales 32 and 34respectively to which the wake tower is connected. In the present formof the invention the wake tower includes an upwardly extending firstbase member 36 connected to the first gunwale 32 and an upwardlyextending second base member 38 connected to said second gunwale 34. Thebase members 36 and 38 are of a curved configuration and are preferablycast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum.

Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardlyextending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral 40.The structural assembly 40 includes a generally “L” shaped structuralmember 42 having a first curved side 42 a and a cast aluminum, firstconnector segment 44. Structural member 40 a is connected to aluminumfirst connector segment 44 by any suitable means such as welding. In amanner presently to be described, connector segment 44 is, in turn,pivotally connected to first base member 36. Structural assembly 40 alsoincludes a second generally “L” shaped structural member 46 having acurved side 46 a and a second, cast aluminum connector segment 48 thatis connected to second curved side 46 a by any suitable means such aswelding. Connector segment 48 is, in turn, pivotally connected secondbase member 38.

As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, each of the sides ofstructural assembly 40 is first swaged into the desired configurationand then is strategically formed to create a gracefully curved, taperedportion having an oval shape. More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 1and 4, each of the sides of the structural assembly 40 includes a lowerportion 51 having a first width W and an upper portion 53 having asecond width W-1 that is substantially less than said first width W.structural assembly 40 further includes a bight portion 54interconnecting upper portions 53 of the sides. As indicated in FIG. 4,bight portion 54 is generally circular in cross-section. However, it isto be understood that, for certain applications, bight 54 can be oval incross-section.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 11, the wake towerfurther includes a tow rope connector member 56 that is connected to andspans upper portion 53 of the sides 42 and 46. Connected to theconnector member 56 is a conventional type of connector 58 to which thetowrope “TR” can be connected.

Turning next to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a portion of one side of the waketower of the invention is there shown. It is to be understood that theother side of the wake tower is of a similar construction, but is notshown in the drawings in order to simplify the specification. Each ofthe base members is provided with a cavity 60 and each of the connectorsegments is provided with a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extendingears 62 and 64 that are receivable within the base member cavities. Asshown in FIG. 6, downwardly extending ear 62 has a bore 62 a formedtherein. Similarly, downwardly extending ear 64 has a bore 64 a formedtherein. Receivable within bore 62 a is a pivot pin 66 about which side46 and connector segment 48 can pivot in the manner shown in FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, pivot pin 66 extends through alignedbores 69 formed in base member 38. Similarly, a locking pin 72 isreceivable within bore 64 a formed in ear 64. Pivot pin 66 extendsthrough aligned bores 73 formed in base member 38 and, when in positionwithin these openings in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 in 9, preventspivotal movement of side 46 and connector segment 48 about pivot pin 66.As indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 7, when the locking pin 72 isremoved from the base member, the combination of side 46 and connectorsegment 48 is free to pivot about pivot pin 66 in the manner shown inFIG. 11.

In accordance with one form of the method of making the wake towerillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11, the first and second base members 36and 38 are cast in a conventional manner from a suitable lightweightcastable material such as aluminum and are appropriately finished. Thisdone, the base members are interconnected with the powerboat by aplurality of threaded connectors 76 in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

The side members 42 a and 46 a are each formed individually by firstheating a first length of tubing to an elevated, annealing temperature.This first length of tubing, which by way of example can be 6061-T6aluminum tubing, that has a diameter of approximately 5 inches, a firstend 80 a and a second end 80 b. In the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, theheated length of tubing is swaged by conventional technique well knownto those skilled in the art to form a first swaged tube 80 having atapered swaged portion 82. Swaged portion 82 has a first end 84 of firstdiameter D-1, a second end 86 of a second lesser diameter D-2 and auniform diameter portion 86 having a diameter D-3 substantially equal tosaid second lesser diameter D-2.

Using an appropriate forming dye, the tapered swaged portion 82 of theswaged tube 82 is strategically formed to produce a tapered swagedportion 82 a and an elongated uniform diameter portion 86 a (FIG. 3). Asillustrated in FIG. 3, swaged portion 82 a is generally oval shaped incross-section and has a thickness “E”. Swaged portion 82 a has a widthW-1, while uniform diameter portion 86 a has a lesser width W-2. Thisswaging step is done in a conventional manner using conventional toolingthat is of the character well understood by those skilled in the art.

Following the swaging step, the swaged to first tube 80 is strategicallybent into the desired shape to form a first bent tube that is generally“L” shaped in configuration and generally corresponds to the shape ofmember 42 a.

Next, first connector segment 44 is cast in a conventional manner from alight weight castable material such aluminum and is connected by anysuitable means such as welding to the bent tube formed by the swagingstep to form a first wake tower subassembly 42, which generallycorresponds to one-half of the structural assembly 40.

Following the forming of the first wake tower subassembly, a secondlength of aluminum tubing is swaged and formed in the identical mannerdescribed in the preceding paragraphs to produce a second side 46 a.This done, second connector segment 48 is suitably cast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum and is interconnected as by welding wassecond side 46 a to form assembly 46 that generally corresponds to thesecond half of the structural assembly 40.

Next, the elongated, uniform diameter portions of the first and secondwake tower subassemblies 42 and 46 are interconnected at their ends asby a welding to form the structural member 40.

After completion of the construction of the structural member 40 in themanner described in the preceding paragraphs, the structural member ispivotally interconnected with the base members 36 and 38 in the mannerdepicted in FIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings to form the constructionshown in FIGS. 1 and 3. More particularly, the ears formed on each ofthe connector segments are inserted into the base cavities, the pivotpins 66 are inserted into bores 69 and 62 a and the locking pins areinserted into bores 73 and 64 a. With this construction, when it isdesired to pivot the structural member into the forwardly stowedposition in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, locking pin 72 areremoved from bores 73 and 64 a to permit the structural member to pivotabout pivot pins 66.

Turning next to FIGS. 12 through 21 an alternate form of the wake towerof the invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral 90.This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 through 11 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 12 through 21 toidentify like components. One of the main differences between thislatest form of the invention and the earlier described form resides inthe fact that the wake tower slopes rearwardly instead of forwardly andinstead of being pivotally movable toward the bow of the boat, ispivotally movable toward the stem of the boat as shown in FIG. 14 of thedrawings.

Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, wake tower 90 is showninterconnected with a powerboat 30 of conventional construction having abow portion 30 a, a stem portion 30 b and first and second spaced apartgunwales 32 and 34 respectively. In this latest form of the invention,the wake tower includes an upwardly extending first base member 96 thatis connected to the first gunwale 32 and an upwardly extending secondbase member 98 that is connected to said second gunwale 34. The basemembers 96 and 98 are of a curved configuration and are preferably castfrom a lightweight metal such as aluminum.

Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardlyextending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral 100.The structural assembly 100 includes a generally “L” shaped structuralmember 102 having a first curved side 102 a and a cast aluminum firstconnector segment 104. Structural member 102 is connected to aluminumfirst connector segment 104 by any suitable means such as welding. In amanner presently to be described, connector segment 104 is, in turn,pivotally connected to first base member 96. Structural assembly 100also includes a second generally “L” shaped structural member 106 havinga curved side 106 a and a second, cast aluminum connector segment 108that is connected to second curved side 106 a by any suitable means suchas welding. Connector segment 108 is, in turn, pivotally connectedsecond base member 98.

As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, each of thesides of structural assembly 100 is first swaged into the desiredconfiguration and then is strategically formed to create an elongatedswaged portion having an oval shape (see FIGS. 13 and 15). As indicatedin FIG. 14, in this latest form of the invention, the bight portion 110of the structural assembly 100 is also generally oval shaped incross-section. Unlike the earlier described embodiment of the invention,the tow rope TR is directly connected to a connector 112 that isconnected to bight portion 110 proximate the center thereof.

Turning next to FIGS. 17 through 20, a portion of one side of the waketower of this latest form of the invention is there shown. It is to beunderstood that the other side of the wake tower is of a similarconstruction, but is not shown in the drawings in order to simplify thespecification. As best seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, each of the base membersis provided with a cavity 114 and each of the connector segments isprovided with a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending ears 116 and118 that are receivable within the base member cavities. As shown inFIG. 17, downwardly extending ear 116 has a bore 116 a formed thereinand, similarly, downwardly extending ear 118, which has a length greaterthan the length of the ear 116, has a bore 118 a formed therein.Receivable within bore 118 a is a pivot pin 120 about which side 106 andconnector segment 108 can pivot in the manner shown in FIG. 21. Asillustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, pivot pin 120 extends through alignedbores 123 formed in base member 98. Similarly, a locking pin 124 isreceivable within bore 116 a formed in ear 116. Locking pin 124 extendsthrough aligned bores 125 formed in base member 98 and, when in positionwithin these openings in the manner shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, preventspivotal movement of side 106 and connector segment 108 about pivot pin120. As indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 20, when the locking pin124 is removed from the base member, the combination of side 106 andconnector segment 108 is free to pivot about pivot pin 120 in the mannershown in FIG. 21.

In accordance with an alternate form of the method of making the waketower illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 21, the first and second basemembers 96 and 98 are cast in a conventional manner from a suitablelightweight castable material such as aluminum and are appropriatelyfinished. This done, the base members can be interconnected with thepowerboat by a plurality of threaded connectors 129 in the manner shownin FIG. 17.

The side members 102 a and 106 a are each formed individually by firstheating to an elevated, annealing temperature a first length of tubing,such as 6061-T6 aluminum tubing that has a diameter of approximately 5inches. The heated length of tubing is swaged in a conventional mannerwell known to those skilled in the art to form a first swaged tube 130of the general configuration shown in FIG. 12. Using an appropriateforming dye, the swaged tube 130 is strategically formed so that it isgenerally oval shaped in cross-section. This swaging step is done in aconventional manner using conventional tooling that is of the characterwell understood by those skilled in the art. Following the swaging step,the swaged to first tube 130 is strategically bent into the desiredshape to form a first bent tube that is generally “L” shaped inconfiguration and generally corresponds to the shape of member 102 a.

Next, first connector segment 104 is cast in a conventional manner froma light weight castable material such aluminum and is connected by anysuitable means such as welding to the bent tube formed by the swagingstep to form a first wake tower subassembly 102, which generallycorresponds to one-half of the structural assembly 100.

Following the forming of the first wake tower subassembly, a secondlength of aluminum tubing is swaged and formed in the identical mannerdescribed in the preceding paragraphs to produce a second side 106 a.This done, second connector segment 108 is suitably cast from a lightweight metal such as aluminum and is interconnected as by welding wassecond side 106 a to form assembly 106 that generally corresponds to thesecond half of the structural assembly 100.

Next, the first and second wake tower subassemblies 102 and 106 areinterconnected at their ends as by a welding to form the structuralmember 100. After completing the construction of the structural member100 in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs, the structuralmember is pivotally interconnected with the base members 96 and 98 asillustrated in FIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings to form theconstruction shown in FIGS. 12 and 16. More particularly, the earsformed on each of the connector segments are inserted into the basecavities, the pivot pins 120 are inserted into bores 123 and 118 a andthe locking pins are inserted into bores 125 and 116 a. With thisconstruction, when it is desired to pivot the structural memberrearwardly into the stowed position in the manner illustrated by thephantom lines in FIG. 14, locking pin 124 is removed from bores 125 and116 a to permit the structural member to pivot about pivot pin 120.

Referring to FIGS. 22 through 27, still another form of the wake towerof the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral140. This embodiment is also similar in many respects to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 through 11 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 12through 21 to identify like components. The main differences betweenthis latest form of the invention and that earlier described resides inthe fact that the wake tower is cast by conventional casting techniquesfrom a lightweight metal such as aluminum or from other suitablecastable materials such as plastic.

Referring to FIG. 25 of the drawings, wake tower 140 is interconnectedwith a powerboat 30 of the previously described, conventionalconstruction having a bow portion, a stern portion and first and secondspaced apart gunwales. As before, the wake tower includes an upwardlyextending first base member 36 that is connected to the first gunwaleand an upwardly extending second base member 38 that is connected tosaid second gunwale. The base members are of a curved configuration andare also preferably cast from a lightweight material such as aluminum orthe like.

Interconnected with the base members is a generally U-shaped, upwardlyextending structural assembly generally designated by the numeral 142.The structural assembly 142 includes a pair of generally “L” shapedstructural members each having a curved side 142 a and a connectorsegment 142 b that includes a basewall 142 c that closes the lowerextremity of the curved sides 142 a.The connector segments 142 b arepivotally connected to the first and second base members in the mannerpreviously described to enable the structural assembly to be pivotedinto the stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 4. More particularly, asearlier discussed herein, the ears 62 and 64, which form a part of theconnector segments, are inserted into the base cavities 60, the pivotpins 66 are inserted into bores 62 a and the locking pins are insertedinto bores 64 a. With this construction, when it is desired to pivot thestructural member into the stowed position in the manner previouslydescribed, locking pins 72 are removed from bores 73 to permit thestructural member to pivot about pivot pins 66.

As best seen in FIGS. 22 and 25, each of the sides of the structuralassembly 140 includes a lower portion having a first width W and anupper portion having a second width W-1 that is substantially less thansaid first width W. Structural assembly 140 further includes a bightportion 144 that interconnects the upper portions of the sides (FIG.22). As indicated in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24, bight portion 144 is generallycircular in cross-section. At the time of assembly of the structuralassembly 142, the bight portions are interconnected together by anysuitable means such as welding (see FIG. 23). As illustrated in FIG. 26,the sides of the structural assembly are generally oval incross-section. It is to be understood that the two sides of the waketower 140 are of a similar construction, but only one side a shown inthe drawings in order to simplify the specification.

In this latest form of the invention, like the form of the inventionshown in FIGS. 1 through 11, the wake tower 140 further includes a towrope connector member 146 that is connected to and spans upper portionof the sides 142 a. Connected to the connector member 146 is aconventional type of connector 58 to which the towrope “TR” can beconnected.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

I claim:
 1. In combination, a sports boat having first and second spacedapart gunwales, a bow portion and a stern portion a wake tower, saidwake tower comprising: (a) an upwardly extending first base memberconnected to the first gunwale of the sports boat, said first basemember having a cavity and a pivot pin; (b) an upwardly extending secondbase member connected to said second gunwale of the sports boat, saidsecond base member having a cavity and a pivot pin; (c) a generallyU-shaped, upwardly extending structural assembly having a first curvedside connected to said first base member and a second curved sideconnected to said second base member, each of said sides having an upperportion and a lower portion, each of which is generally oval incross-section, said lower portion of each of said sides having a firstwidth and said upper portion of each of said sides having a second widthless than said first width, said lower portion of each said first andsecond sides including a connector segment having at least onedownwardly extending ear receivable within a selected one of saidcavities in said first and second base members and pivotable about aselected pivot pin.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid generally U-shaped, upwardly extending structural assembly furtherincludes a bight portion interconnecting said upper portions of saidsides, said bight portion being generally circular in cross-section. 3.The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said generally U-shaped,upwardly extending structural assembly further includes a connectormember connected to and spanning said upper portions of said sides. 4.The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said generally U-shaped,upwardly extending structural assembly further includes a connectorstrut connected to and spanning said upper portions of said sides. 5.The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said generally U-shapedupwardly extending assembly is pivotally movable in a direction towardthe bow portion of the sports boat.
 6. The combination as defined inclaim 1 in which said generally U-shaped, upwardly extending assembly ispivotally movable into direction toward the stern portion of the sportsboat.
 7. A method of making a wake tower comprising the steps of: (a)casting a first base member from a castable material; (b) casting asecond base member from a castable material; (c) heating a first lengthof tubing having a first end and a second end and a first diameter to anelevated temperature; (d) swaging said first length of tubing to form afirst swaged tube having a tapered swaged portion having a first end ofsaid first diameter and a second end of a second lesser diameter and auniform diameter portion having a diameter substantially equal to saidsecond lesser diameter; (e) using a forming dye, forming said taperedswaged portion of said first swaged tube to produce a tapered swagedportion that is generally oval shaped in cross-section to produce afirst formed tube having a tapered swaged portion and an elongateduniform diameter portion; (f) bending said first formed tube to form afirst bent tube that is generally “L” shaped in configuration; (g)casting a first connector segment from a castable material; (h)connecting said first connector segment to said first bent tube to forma first side tube assembly; (i) interconnecting said first side tubeassembly with said first base member to form a first wake towersubassembly having a tapered swaged portion and an elongated uniformdiameter portion; (j) heating a second length of tubing having a firstend and a second end and a first diameter to an elevated temperature;(k) swaging said second to length of tubing to form a second swaged tubehaving a tapered swaged portion having a first end of said firstdiameter and a second end of a second lesser diameter and a uniformdiameter portion having a diameter substantially equal to said secondlesser diameter; (l) using a forming dye, forming said tapered swagedportion of said second swaged tube to produce a tapered swaged portionthat is generally oval shaped in cross-section to produce a secondformed tube having a tapered swaged portion and an elongated in uniformdiameter portion; (m) bending said second formed tube to form a secondbent tube that is generally “L” shaped in configuration; (n) casting asecond connector segment from a castable material; (o) connecting saidsecond connector segment to said second bent tube to form a second sidetube assembly having a tapered swaged portion and an elongated inuniform diameter portion; (p) interconnecting said second side tubeassembly with said second base member to form a second wake towersubassembly having a tapered swaged portion and an elongated uniformdiameter portion; and (q) connecting said uniform diameter portion ofsaid first wake tower subassembly to said uniform diameter portion ofsaid second wake tower subassembly.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7in which said first side tube assembly is pivotally interconnected withsaid first base member and in which said second side tube assembly ispivotally interconnected with said second base member.
 9. The method asdefined in claim 7 in which said first side tube assembly is pivotallyinterconnected with said first base member and in which said second sidetube assembly is pivotally interconnected with said second base member.10. In combination, a sports boat having first and second spaced apartgunwales, a bow portion and a stern portion, a wake tower, said waketower comprising: (a) an upwardly extending first base member connectedto the first gunwale of the sports boat, said first base member having acavity formed therein;. (b) an upwardly extending second base memberconnected to second gunwale of the sports boat, said second base memberhaving a cavity formed therein; (c) a generally U-shaped, upwardlyextending structural assembly connected to said first and second basemembers, said generally U-shaped upwardly extending structural assemblycomprising; (i) a first curved side having an upper portion and a lowerportion, each of said upper and lower portions being generally oval incross-section; (ii) a first connector segment connected to said firstcurved side and pivotally connected to said first base member, saidfirsts connector segment including a first pair of spaced apart,downwardly extending ears receivable within said cavity of said firstbase member, each of said downwardly extending ears of said first pairof ears having an opening formed therein; (iii) a second curved sidehaving an upper portion and a lower portion, each of said upper andlower portions being generally oval in cross section; (iv) secondconnector segment connected to said second curved side and pivotallyconnected to said second base member, said second connector segmentincluding a second pair of spaced apart, downwardly extending earsreceivable within said cavity of said second base member, each of saiddownwardly extending ears of said second pair of ears having an openingformed therein; and (v) a bight portion interconnecting said upperportions of first and second curved sides.
 11. The combination asdefined in claim 10 in which said first base member has pair of spacedapart openings formed therein and in which said wake tower furtherincludes a first pair of pins extending through said spaced apartopenings in said first base member and into said openings formed in saidfirst pair of ears of said first connector segment and in which saidsecond base member has pair of spaced apart openings formed therein andin which said wake tower further includes a second pair of pinsextending through said spaced apart openings in said second base memberand into said openings formed in said second pair of ears of said secondconnector segment.
 12. A wake tower comprising (a) a first base member;(b) a second base member (c) a generally U-shaped, structural assemblyhaving a first curved side connected to said first base member and asecond curved side connected to said second base member, each of saidsides having an upper portion and a lower portion each of which isgenerally oval in cross-section, said lower portion of each of saidsides having a first width and said upper portion of each of said sideshaving a second width less than said first width; (d) a bight portioninterconnecting said upper portions of said sides, said bight portionbeing generally circular in cross-section; (e) a connector segmentconnected to said first curved side, said first connector segment havinga first pair of spaced apart ears; and (f) a second connector segmentconnected to said second curved side, said second connector segmenthaving a second pair of spaced apart ears.
 13. The wake tower as definedin claim 12 in which said generally U-shaped structural assembly furtherincludes a towrope connector strut connected to and spanning said upperportions of said sides.
 14. The wake tower as defined in claim 12 inwhich said generally U-shaped structural assembly is pivotally connectedto said first and second base members for pivotal movement between afirst position and a second position.
 15. The wake tower as defined inclaim 12 in which said first base member includes a cavity for receivingsaid first pair of spaced apart ears of said first connector segment andin which said second base member includes a cavity for receiving saidsecond pair of spaced apart ears of said second connector segment.